Easel.



No. 650,504. Patented May 29, I900.

E. nvormzr.

EASEL.

(Application filed Jan. 14, 1898.)

(No Model.)

flat/065565 E ym/6220f 7% EM M:

{M2423 a' Muhh UNIT D STATES PATENT *OFFIQE.

EDMOND D'YONNET, OF MONTREAL, CANADA.

EAEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,504, dated May 29,1900.

Application filed January 14, 1893- Serlal No. 666,722. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMOND DYONNET', a citizen of the Republic ofFrance, residing at Montreal, in the Province of Quebec and Dominion ofCanada,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Easels; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to easels, and more particularly portablesketching easels, and has for its objects lightness of construction,adjustability to size of drawing, stability on uneven ground, andrapidity and ease in varying the angle of drawing plane.

Sketching-easels have-hitherto been constructed generally in the form oftripods, on which the drawing has been merely supported by a bracket.This had little stability and was easily disturbed, besides having noadj ustability.

By means of this invention a frame of light weight is readily adjustedto a canvas or block of any size. This canvas or block may be arrangedat any suitable height and every variation of slant to the surface ofthe same quickly obtained without disturbing the easel, whichis firmlyattached to the ground, if necessary.

The general construction is as follows: The apparatus consists in thetwo side standards, which may be connected by the extensible cross barand having adjustable pivoted clamping-frames adapted to hold the canvasor block in any desired position by means of adjustable pivots. Theblock or canvas when held by the clamps becomes an essential part of theframe of the easel. The form illustrated is that of a lightsketching-easel which folds up readily and is very portable.

Reference is made to the annexed drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is afront View; Fig. 2, aside view opened; Figs. 3 and 4, details ofpivot-pins; Figs. 5 and 6, details ofclamp; Fig. 7, view of easelclosed.

In the form shown by the drawings the side standards are composed of twopairs of legs A A. These may be provided at their lower ends withsuitable spikes A Toward their upper ends slots A are made, throughwhich the pivot-pins 0 pass. The rear legs A are connected by thecross-bar B,"which is pivotally attached near the top of one of theselegs A and near the bottom of the other. This bar can be lengthened orshortened according to the desired width of the easel by means of thethumb-screw B and the slotpiece 13*.

The cross-bar is not necessary when the side standards connected by thecanvas or block form a sufficiently-rigid easel.

The clamping-frames D are pivoted at one end on the pivot-pins C andconsist in a main part D, on which is secured on the inside the clamp D,having a series of lugs D and the adjustable thumb screw D", with aloose washer D the lug D opposite which is toothed to give a firm gripto the clamp. The pivot-pins C are made with the flat portion 0 whichfits the slot A The operation of the device is as follows: The canvas orblock E is clamped on either side by the clamps D, the thumb-screw Bbeing loose to permit the standards Ato separate readily. It is thentightened, and the frame is rigid. The canvas or block E can then beturned on the pivots C, so that its surface takes the required slant.Should the ground be uneven, the length of the legs A can be adjusted bymeans of their pins 0, traveling in the slots A A cord F attached to themiddle of one leg, passing through a hole in a peg F, driven into theground, and fastened in a slot F in the other leg, makes the easel verysteady and firm. It is thus seen that the canvas or block itself becomespart of the easel, and thereby reduces the weight of the frame, besidesgiving greater freedom of action.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is- Y 1. In a portable easel, the combinationwith folding legs, of an extensible cross-bar connecting the legs belowtheir pivots and at different distances therefrom and adapted to foldclose to the legs when the easel is closed, clamps to grip the oppositesides of a block or canvas, and pivoted to revolve with the block orcanvas between the legs, and to fold close to the legs when the easel isclosed.

2. In a portable easel, the combination of two pairs of folding legs,with an extensi5le crossbar connecting the opposite end of thecorresponding leg of each pair, clamps to grip the opposite sides of ablock or canvas, pivoted to revolve therewith between the pairs of legs,and pivot-pins forming the pivots of one pain of legs and of one clamp,and screwnnts to tighten the pivots and retain the clamps as desired, asshown and described.

In Witness whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

EDMOND DYONNE'I. Witnesses: I-IANBURY A; BUDDEN,

A. L. OARON.

